World Sanskrit Day 2024 (19th August), Theme & History

World Sanskrit Day 2024

World Sanskrit Day, also known as International Sanskrit Day, Sanskrit Diwas, and Vishwa Samskrita Dinam, is observed on the day of Shravana Poornima in the Hindu calendar, which coincides with the celebration of Raksha Bandhan. This year, Sanskrit Diwas will be celebrated on Monday, 19th August. The primary objective of this day is to increase awareness and promote Sanskrit, one of India’s most ancient languages. Sanskrit holds immense significance as it forms the bedrock for classical texts in various fields such as Literature, Philosophy, Mathematics, and Science.

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World Sanskrit Day Theme 2024

As of today, the official theme for World Sanskrit Day 2024 has not yet been announced by the Ministry of Culture.

Regardless of the specific theme, the day remains a vital platform for:

Raise awareness about the importance of the Sanskrit language and culture.
Advocate for policies and initiatives that promote the learning and use of Sanskrit.
Celebrate the achievements and contributions of scholars, artists, and practitioners of Sanskrit.
Encourage the transmission of Sanskrit knowledge and traditions to future generations.

Other Important Days in August 2024

History of World Sanskrit Day

The history of World Sanskrit Day dates back to 1969, when the Government of India declared August 19 as Sanskrit Day to commemorate the 2500th anniversary of the birth of Pāṇini, a Sanskrit grammarian.

Pāṇini is considered the father of Sanskrit grammar. His work, the Ashtadhyayi, is a comprehensive treatise on Sanskrit grammar that is still used today.

The first Sanskrit Diwas was celebrated in 1969, with the theme “Sanskrit: The Language of Knowledge”. The event was held in New Delhi and was attended by scholars and dignitaries from all over the world.

Since then, World Sanskrit Day has been celebrated every year on the full moon day of the Shravan month in the Hindu calendar. The day is celebrated by holding various events, such as seminars, lectures, and cultural performances.

Purpose

The purpose of World Sanskrit Day is to raise awareness of the importance of Sanskrit and to promote its study and use.

Sanskrit Diwas is a day to celebrate the beauty and richness of Sanskrit and to reaffirm its importance in the world. It is also a day to encourage people to learn Sanskrit and to use it to promote understanding and cooperation between cultures.

In 2019, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) declared August 19 as the International Day of Sanskrit. This was a major step in promoting the language and its importance on a global scale.

Significance of World Sanskrit Day

Sanskrit is one of the oldest languages in the world. It is also considered to be the mother of many modern Indian languages. It is a rich and expressive language that has a long and storied history.

To raise awareness of the importance of Sanskrit and to promote its study and use.
To celebrate the beauty and richness of Sanskrit and to reaffirm its importance in the world.
To encourage people to learn Sanskrit and to use it to promote understanding and cooperation between cultures.
To highlight the contributions of Sanskrit to the world, including its influence on science, philosophy, and literature.
To promote the use of Sanskrit in education and research.
To preserve and protect Sanskrit as a living language.

Sanskrit is also a language of science and philosophy. Many of the great works of Indian science and philosophy were written in Sanskrit.

19th August 2024 Special Day

19th August carries linguistic significance as the globe celebrates World Sanskrit Day in conjunction with the Shravana Purnima festival in 2024. Coinciding fittingly with the auspicious Raksha Bandhan tied to the full moon annually, this commemorative occasion honors the ancient Indo-Aryan language still thriving through scriptures and shlokas. The opportune timing provides a reflective moment to revive forgotten vernaculars while renewing cross-cultural bonds. As scholars and Hindus unite across nations on this particular 2024 date, the message resonates clearly – Sanskrit enlightens and brings traditions together.

Shubham Mittal

Shubham Mittal is a renowned current affairs writer and expert in government exam preparation, inspiring readers with insightful articles and guiding aspirants with his expertise.

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